Hosea 13

God’s Anger Against Israel

1 When Ephraim spoke, people trembled. He was lifted up in Israel. But he became guilty through Baal and died.

2 Now they keep on sinning and make idols for themselves out of silver, shaped by their own skills. They say, “Offer sacrifices to these,” and they kiss calf idols.

3 That is why they will be like morning fog, like dew that disappears early, like chaff blown from the threshing floor, like smoke from a window.

4 But I have been the LORD your God since you left Egypt. You supposed to know no God but Me, because there is no savior besides Me.

5 I knew you in the wilderness, in the dry desert land.

6 When I fed them, they were satisfied. When they were satisfied, they became proud. Then they forgot Me.

Judgment Is Inevitable

7 So I will come at them like a lion, like a leopard hiding by the road.

8 I will attack them like a bear robbed of her cubs, rip open their chest, and devour them like a lion. Wild animals will tear them apart.

9 You destroyed yourself, Israel, because you against Me, against your only help.

10 Where is your king now, Let him save you. Where are all your leaders, the ones you said would rule you,

11 I gave you a king in My anger and took him away in My wrath.

12 Ephraim’s guilt is stored up, his sin is kept on record.

13 The pains of childbirth come for him, but he is like a foolish child who will not come out when it is time to be born.

14 Should I rescue them from the grave, Should I redeem them from death, Death, where your plagues, Grave, where your destruction, Compassion is hidden from My eyes.

15 Even though he thrives among his brothers, an east wind from the LORD will come, blowing up from the desert. His spring will dry up, his well will run dry. His storehouse will be looted of every valuable thing.

16 Samaria will pay for her guilt, because she rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword, their children will be crushed, and pregnant women ripped open.